Earth Day events come to Hood River

Photo by Patrick MulvihillA GLOBE hangs from a tree above Buster, the State Street Bear, at the Ninth and State Street intersection in Hood River. Earth Week comes full spin starting this weekend, with environmental cleanups, marches and activities slated in late April around the Gorge. For a list of events, check out this guide, as well as the Saturday, April 22 print edition of the Hood River News.

Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, has expanded to Earth Week, with events in Hood River, The Dalles and White Salmon/Underwood beginning this weekend and continuing into next, culminating in The People’s Climate and Justice March on Saturday, April 29. There are also other earth-friendly activities planned, from plant sales to shred days to film viewings.

Conservation, faith, business, education and art groups have come together to put on an array of climate-focused events in late April.

Earth Day Events

• April 22 — Columbia River beach cleanup. 10 a.m. to noon, meet at the Hood River Spit Parking Area downstream from the Hood River pedestrian bridge. Or in Vancouver: from 9 a.m. to noon at Frenchman’s Bar Park 7495 N.W. Lower River Road, Vancouver. Coordinated by Columbia Riverkeeper and FootWise Hood River.

• April 22 — March for Science, 10 a.m. at Rheingarten Park, White Salmon. Begins with a science fair and speakers; march begins at noon. Updated speaker and event list at facebook.com/ScienceMarchWS. Includes Procession of the Species.

• April 23 — Riverside Community Church and Mid-Columbia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, both in Hood River, will offer earth-centered services. See A5 in the April 22 edition of the Hood River News for more information on Riverside’s service.

• April 29 — Earth Day Volunteer Event, 9-11 a.m. along Indian Creek. Sponsored by Hood River Watershed Group and Indian Creek Stewards. Help restore a section of Indian Creek from invasive weeds. Meet on Broken Tee Drive at the field just west of the golf course. Bring gloves, shovel or wheelbarrow. Snacks provided.

•April 29 — People’s Climate and Justice March, 11-12:45 p.m., traveling from Waterfront Park to the Hood River Library. Part of the nationally-organized march to strengthen climate and justice movement and to demand action.

Conservation groups are planning climate justice and social justice marches in Washington, D.C. and all over the country.

"We believe that in this moment of division, turmoil, and fear, it’s important to put forward an alternative vision that inspires and connects,” 350.org founder Jamie Henn wrote in a statement. The group spearheads the nationwide event.

• April 27 — Film, “Gaining Ground,” 7 p.m. at the Hood River Library. Film about growing food and empowering communities. Free; more at 541-386-2535, info@hoodriverlibrary.org, or hoodriverlibrary.org.